Foster carer shortage deepens as Victoria loses carers faster than gain
Victoria lost 267 foster carers in 2023-24 while 9,353 children need care, and demand grows by 30 kids each week.
Foster care shortage in Australia is worsening. Victoria lost 267 foster households in 2023-24 even as the number of children needing care climbs to 9,353, up 211 since 2021.
Agencies struggle to keep up: at least 30 children need foster care access each week in Victoria alone. The Upper Murray Family Care chief executive says carer availability is the biggest challenge in the North East region.
Some people in their 30s are stepping forward as respite carers and finding they can fit it around their lives. But recruitment across the board stays tight.
- 267 foster households
- Carers lost in 2023-24
- 9,353
- Children in out-of-home care
- At least 30
- Children needing care weekly
- 127 households
- Relative carers gained in 2023-24
Why it mattersA growing number of children with no home need stable carers, but fewer families are willing or able to take them in.
AustraliaVictorian families and children in care are waiting longer for placement, and community organisations that depend on foster carer engagement face reduced capacity.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 7 d ago
